Batang Gilas to lean on speed in FIBA U-17 tiff

DUBAI – Deficient in size and length, the Philippines is aiming to pull off surprises through speed in the FIBA Under-17 World Championship here.

Batang Gilas head coach Jamike Jarin will bank on the sheer quickness of his team to withstand the challenge of being the smallest squad in the 16-nation meet.

Grouped with two-time champion US, Angola and Greece, the Filipinos are vulnerable in the paint once these teams opt to hammer them inside.

"We need to run. Against tall teams, we really don't want to see them play in a slow set game,'' said Jarin.

With an average ceiling of six feet, Batang Gilas will lean on brothers Mike and Matt Nieto of Ateneo de Manila University, Richard Escoto of Far Eastern University, Jolo Mendoza of Ateneo and Paul Desiderio of University of the Philippines.

They have a support crew of energetic players in Mikel Panlilio of International School Manila, Diego Dario of UP, Mike Dela Cruz of La Salle Greenhills, Enzo Navarro of San Sebastian College, Carlo Abadeza of Arellano University, Arnie Padilla of FEU and Jollo Go of Hope Christian High School.

"We stand no chance against their size and length. We need to slow them down by picking them up 60 to 90 feet from the basket because we will encounter problems once they settle at the frontcourt,'' said Jarin.

For them to win, Jarin explained that Mendoza should shoot the lights out, Matt Nieto must control the game, Desiderio has been assigned to do the intangibles and Mike Nieto will have to do all the dirty works.

Filipino workers here are expected to troop to the Al Ahli Arena every game and throw their support to Batang Gilas, which made it to the worlds after a masterful second-place performance in last year's FIBA-Asia Championship.

"We need to be efficient and play a fast-paced offense. If it's a three against three, we're not going to set. If it's a four on four, we're still not going to set up,'' said Jarin.

"The only time we set if it's a five on five. As much as possible, I'd like to limit the game to a two on two, three on three and four on four.''

After challenging Angola, the Filipinos take on the Greeks on Saturday before going on a one-day break.

They tackle the US Monday and advance to the second round where they could meet Australia, Canada, France or Japan in a crossover make-or-break affair.